Yamaji artists and scientists find common skies

Do you want to know what a group of Yamaji artists and astrophysicists have in common? Wait a minute, do you even know what a Yamaji or an astrophysicist is?

A Yamaji is an Aboriginal person from the Murchison and Midwest region of WA. An astrophysicist studies the physics of the universe like stars and galaxies.

It was earlier this year that a number of Yamaji artists and astrophysicists gathered together at Boolardy Station in the Murchison.

As a Yamaji artist I shared stories with the scientists because we all have to reclaim our right in sharing stories and making sure cultural knowledge is available for the next generation.

Boolardy Station is part of an international project known as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) costing more than $2 billion, and it's very important to acknowledge that it sits on the ancestral lands of the Wajarri peoples who have lived in this area for thousands of years. It's also the birthplace of Mullewa Wajarri man Teddo Ryan who just happened to be on this trip.

Ilgarijiri (things belonging to the sky) and Boolardy is where the astrophysicists and Yamaji artists find common ground.

It transcends beyond being the site of the SKA project and even beyond being the ancestral lands of the Wajarri people. It has become this space where two different cultural, economic and social groups come together and share knowledge, stories and experiences as our gurus (eyes) turn upwards to the night sky.

In March this year, it was five years since I boarded the 'Boolardy Express' (our name for the bus) to head out into the beautiful Murchison. Our first night was spent in Mullewa with the opportunity to look through some pretty impressive equipment up into the sky.

The Jewellery Box is always a favourite with many colours not visible to the naked eye, and Jupiter put on a show that night as well.

I was always looking up into the sky on this trip because the cloud cover had us a little worried but, sure enough, the night sky never disappointed. On the second night we looked through the telescopes, swapped stories with the scientists and had a large fire in the background that helped create a fantastic atmosphere.

My favourite constellation is the Milky Way. It was as magnificent as I'd ever seen it, and we waited patiently to see the Seven Sisters to show themselves between the clouds which was also amazing.

The Boolardy trip was awesome and inspirational for many reasons. I learnt that the scientist I was sharing a meal with, Dr Brian Boyle, was at the international scientists meeting when Pluto was demoted from the solar system. It is nyorn (no) longer a planet anymore.

I'm currently creating art from this experience to share in a joint art exhibition with some South African artists called the Shared Skies project.

Some only see the shining stars at night. Some see the dark matter at night. That’s okay because when we all look upwards we all see something.

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Comments

Jacqueline Wright

Charmaine, do you remember me? I used to work at Pundulmurra in the language programme. Your video and the story behind it is rich and beautiful. Good job!

Susan Standen

This is a beautiful video, I loved hearing all of the participants' words. Aboriginal astronomy is an endlessly fascinating subject of study. To see the intersection of cultural history, scientific exploration and art in this region is both awesome and inspiring.

Susan Standen

Your artwork is beautifully interwoven with your life and words Charmaine. Thank you for sharing, can't wait to see your interpretation of Seven Sisters via Boolardy in Shared Skies.

Catherine Marciniak

What a fascinating story. I love it when science and art connect and when we learn from each other. A story shared beautifully by all involved.